Prabowo Vows to Revoke Corporate Permits Over Land Burning
Prabowo says he is serious about revoking corporate permits over suspected land burning, while urging law enforcement to investigate companies.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has directed law enforcement agencies to revoke corporate business permits in cases where companies are implicated in forest and land burning, according to a meeting in Pekanbaru, Riau. Speaking at the coordination meeting on forest and land fire management, Prabowo emphasized the need for decisive action against corporations that are found to be directing or carrying out land burning for the purpose of clearing land.
Prabowo assured that the police and prosecutors will investigate any indications of such activities, with intelligence agencies playing a crucial role. He made it clear that all corporate permits would be revoked if there were any indications that a corporation had ordered land burning. The Indonesian President stressed that this policy would apply to all corporations without exception.
In addition to targeting corporations, Prabowo directed law enforcement authorities to prevent individuals from setting fires deliberately to clear land for any reason. He stressed the importance of public education at the village level to ensure residents understand that land burning is prohibited. For those who need to clear land, Prabowo suggested that assistance should not be sought through burning but rather through government support provided by local governments, the Indonesian Military (TNI), and the National Police.
The assistance from these entities could include organizing land clearing through farmer groups, with funding available through programs like the People's Business Credit (KUR) and cooperatives. Prabowo emphasized that if individuals need to clear land, they should report their intentions to the subdistrict head or regent, after which the government, including farmer groups, the TNI, and the National Police, will be ready to provide support through KUR or cooperatives.
The President also highlighted the vital role of the police in preventing and prosecuting forest and land fires, especially when corporations are involved.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
